Paper*Thehighschoolfortheperformingandvisualartsnewspaper* Farewell, Dr

US FREE AUSTRALIA $ 10.50 DENMARK DKK 75.00 CANADA $ 9.50 FRANCE € 8.50 U.K. £ 10.50 HOLLAND € 8.50 ITALY€ 9.00 JAPAN ¥ 1740 NEW ZEALAND NZ$ 11.50 SPAIN € 8.50 SWEDEN SEK 75.00 SWITZERLAND CHF 16.00 UAE AED 45.00 INDIA ₹ 323.00 VOLUME 12 ISSUE 6 paper*TheHighSchoolforthePerformingandVisualArtsNewspaper* Farewell, Dr. Allen Every morning of my junior year, Dr. Allen greeted doing more work with students across the state with the me at the front door, cup of coffee in hand. With a radiant UIL One Act Play competition… I walk away knowing smile and a friendly hello, he held the HSPVA front door that the past 12 1/2 years have been magical, fun, and open for every single student. The day after a big poetry full of memories that I will not forget!” performance, Dr. Allen congratulated me with a small To be completely honest, a part of me is glad round of applause. And at 7:30 in the morning during the that Dr. Allen and I will be graduating from HSPVA the hardest year of high school, this act of kindness stuck same year because I cannot imagine this school without with me — it made every day that much brighter. him. I cannot imagine a year without a principal like Dr. Dr. Allen is truly the best principal that any art Allen that advocates for all his students, remembers school student could ask for. His enthusiasm for the their names, and genuinely makes them excited to be art that floats through the halls of 790 Austin Street is at school. And for that reason, paper* bestows upon infectious. Anyone on campus last year will remember Dr. Allen that greatest honor we can think of: honorary his cameo in Mary Poppins and his onstage appearance member of the graduating class of 2021. And I, for one, in a fluffy, pink tutu before the dance spotlight. Without cannot wait to walk across that stage alongside him. exaggeration, I wouldn’t be at this school without Dr. Allen. While principal, he created the Creative Writing by Shelby Edison department. And none of us would be downtown without him either, as he helped with the development of our new downtown location. When I reached out to Dr. Allen about his time at PVA, he told me, “Serving as principal of PVA is an honor I could have never imagined. Being surrounded by young artists who are talented and passionate about their craft is unbelievably inspiring. Among my favorite things about my time at the school are attending performances in the different art areas, being a part of establishing the Creative Writing program, designing and being a part of the construction of the new downtown facility, and greeting students at the front doors each morning as my schedule allowed. I will always be most proud of the 790 Austin building!” There’s a whole lot to love about Dr. Allen, but my favorite thing about having him as my principal is that he truly cares about his students. After my senior show, as I walked through the hallway, completely exhausted, putting away props, he stopped me to congratulate me on a job well done. It’s an Artist Academy rite of passage for Dr. Allen to shed a few tears as he addresses the newest class of HSPVA artists. When I volunteered at Artist Academy, the schedule even factored in Dr. Allen crying in his speech. How special is it that our principal, someone who could just sit back and relax in his fourth floor office with a stunning view of Downtown Houston, is also our biggest cheerleader? HSPVA may be undefeated in football since 1971, but if we had a team, I know that Dr. Allen would be in the bleachers for every single game. When I asked Dr. Allen what his plans after HSPVA are, he said, “I have no other [plans] than enjoying coffee with my dogs (Charlie and Frankie) in the mornings, reading for pleasure, watching lots of Astros baseball, traveling with my partner, and 10 Things I Am Grateful for at PVA* by Matthew Kalmans As I conclude my high school journey here at crop. Kinder HSPVA, I have been reflecting on these past four 5. The Theatre Department parents. Shoutout to years quite often. Though there have been many ups Ms. Ramirez, Ms. Champion, Ms. Strug, and so many and downs during my time here, tears shed and smiles others for organizing such fantastic events in the midst spread, ultimately, I am so grateful to have come to of COVID. I am so grateful that I have gotten to become HSPVA. Here are ten reasons (and certainly, there are closer with my level, even in the middle of a pandemic. many more) why I am grateful for my time at HSPVA. 6. Our consultants. We are so lucky to have 1. The stray from normalcy. There have been many working artists come teach classes for us. I have moments where I am invested in my art, sometimes learned so much from our consultants’ experience in the to the point of extremity. Then, I remember that I professional world and their perspectives on a career in wouldn’t be able to have such freedom at any other the arts. high school in Houston. At HSPVA, we are given so 7. Being downtown. Our location has opened up much independence that differs from any other school, a so many opportunities for us. Whether it be walking to quirkiness I am grateful for. the Hobby Center to go see Once On This Island with 2. The administration. Our administration is the ON STAGE SEATING, or walking over to Discovery BEST. The amount of work that our APs and counselors Green for a dance rehearsal and ending the day with put into our academic, artistic, and personal success is Starbucks, being downtown has opened so many doors astounding. The administration truly cares about each for exploration. individual student, and I will miss them dearly. 8. Mary Poppins. This show was SO MUCH FUN! 3. The facilities. It is an enormous privilege to Being a part of an all-school musical was certainly have access to such high-quality performance spaces an experience I will never forget. Seeing all art areas and equipment. Our Denney Theatre is on-par with come together and form one beautiful masterpiece is professional performance theatres. We have so much absolutely incredible. No, even more than incredible… equipment at our disposal to help us grow in our art and SUPERCALIFRAGILISTICEXPIALIDOCIOUS! prepare us for the future. That is truly amazing. 9. The Theatre faculty. I am so lucky that I have 4. Junior year. I know, who actually liked junior gotten to know these teachers so well. They are the year? Well, I did. I found that I had the most academic kindest people, and they are so much fun to be around. I and personal growth in this year (until March, of course), will miss them so much. and I credit the teachers for a tremendous part of that 10. Shelby Edison. A multi-talented, kind-hearted, growth. Though some of them are not still at HSPVA, I hard-working icon. I am so glad we met in the parking will never forget the impact that Ms. Seward had on my garage across the street after parking next to each other writing and rhetoric or Mrs. Garza’s influence on my love day after day. I would not have wanted to run for cutest for mathematics. The teachers here are the cream of the couple with anyone else. The Class of 2022’s Arrested Development by Vera Caldwell As the class of ’22 become rising seniors this distanced walk in a park, graveyard, cursed abandoned summer, let’s take a minute to reflect on what our cohort lot, etc. (anywhere outdoors). Eat outside at restaurants. has been through. Next year, we will be the last class Go to shops that require masks and social distancing. in the school to have attended the old campus. We only Have picnics! When was the last time you had a picnic? got to enjoy the new building for a little more than a year And if you can’t see others in person, talk on the phone before being shut out of it due to COVID-19, which struck like it’s the 20th century. Use that watch party feature in the spring of our sophomore year. Now, we’ve spent on various our junior year divided between home and school. Some streaming of us attend an almost-normal-but-not-quite campus with services. a few people conspicuously missing. Others of us stay Make plans at home watching our in-person classmates do school over the on Teams while our dogs bark and our parents loudly summer. As walk around in the background. All of us, however, have a class, we experienced some level of arrested development; we’ve need to live only had about a year and a half of normal high school, the few bits and we’re about to be seniors. I, for one, have noticed of life we myself feeling as nervous as a freshman the few times feasibly can I’ve had to go into school for the SAT or whatnot before right now crawling back into my virtual cave. We’re cast adrift in because the middle of this upheaval, with many of our memories time has fading further and further into the past as we spend more passed way time in this dreamlike era. We’ve meticulously planned too quickly out what we would do if we could be real high school and, in one students—drive each other places (everywhere, all the year, we’ll time, like in the movies), have actual parties (imagine!!!), be sent off go to shows, go shopping—but we haven’t actually done into another these things, at least not for the past year. The only side new, strange of high school we’ve fully experienced has been the situation homework-and-college-prep side, which is stressful and before solitary—not the best thing for us right now. As more we’ve even of us get vaccinated and switch to in person school, wrapped our however, we can begin to counteract this problem. heads around Call your friends up and ask them to go on a socially this one.

*Honorable mention goes to Rebecca Rock A Not-So-Normal Start to High School by Kate-Yeonjae Jeong I’m one of those people that likes to think way unusual year, but I feel confident that the next three ahead. Sometimes, I might think too much about the years will be amazing at PVA. Not everything I imagine future. In the past, I’d often anticipate what my high always sticks to reality, but with this, I think along with school experience would be like. However, even with all the weird can come upsides, no matter the situation. As that overthinking, I’d never have imagined my start at they say, the future holds endless possibilities. PVA. To put it simply, it was abnormal. I didn’t feel like a genuine high schooler, much less a real student. (I still feel like a middle schooler. Please tell me I’m not alone in this.) Microsoft Teams was a stark contrast to the atmosphere of a real-life classroom. In the first couple of months, I didn’t even know half the people in my grade. If I retained any familiarity, I only knew of them without actually knowing them. As time went on, I grew into my daily habit of computer-ing and navigating the HUB — until I made the switch back into in-person learning. (I still use my laptop, and surfing the HUB remains the same, but still.) It was refreshing to actually talk with people, walk through the hallways lined with artwork, and communicate in open discussions. Strangely, being physically put into this environment made me feel like a student again. This beginning into high school wasn’t a normal experience -- I mean, the circumstances alone weren’t typical at all, but I think that’s okay. It was certainly an The Curse of the Class of 2021 by Rebecca Rock Whispers surround the Class of 2021. From our freshman year onward, jokes of our “driving away” teachers have hovered near. Reports of our “terrible” behavior and over-attentiveness to our grades permeate the halls and threaten to slander our reputations. I decided answers were needed. Is the Class of 2021 the reason for so many teachers leaving? How did you feel about the class of 2021? Ms. Diaz: Some of the most beautiful babies in the world. From my boisterous and bubbly fifth period to my small and silly seventh period, you guys were a blast. Ms. Seward: I LOVED them. Ms. Manchac: Despite constantly comparing them to the Shocked Pikachu meme (which really is just teenagers in general), I think of them often and miss working with them! I hated that our time together had to end on Teams but appreciated all of their pet pictures and bread baking tips! Ms. Tuttle: Y’all are great! Fun, creative, and so invested in learning. Were we (class of 2021) the reason you left/are leaving HSPVA? Ms. Diaz: Never. Ms. Seward: Absolutely not — I hated to leave them. KM: I’m quitting my job and selling my all my possessions to go travel for a couple of years. Maybe I’m having a midlife crisis or just fed up with Babylon, but it doesn’t have anything to do with the Class of 2021 or 2022. Ms. Manchac: Absolutely not! I left to pursue creative endeavors like writing curriculum for the district’s ethnic studies classes, something that I have wanted to do for YEARS! Ms. Williams: Don’t be silly. You can’t scare me. And besides, I’ve had way worse than you guys. Was fear for the class of 2022 the reason you left/are leaving HSPVA? Ms. Diaz: No idea who those people are. KM: Lol! PVA kids don’t scare me. Ms. Manchac: The class of who? (I kid! I had not heard much about the sophomores so I can’t say that I had any reason to be afraid of them.) Ms. Tuttle: Hahahaha. Also no.

What do you miss most about HSPVA? Ms. Diaz: The class of 2021, and the boop-i-ty boop on the midtown campus because you could see everything and feel the heartbeat of the school. Ms. Seward: The marvelous students and the arts permeating the campus. KM: I’ll miss the students for sure. I don’t know anything about the Class of 2022 and their reputation, but I’ve also enjoyed teaching students who are a little feisty. My biggest complaint about the Class of 2021 is that they are too quiet and too well-behaved. Sometimes it’s like I’m teaching to an empty room. Thanks to COVID, sometimes I’m actually teaching to an empty room Ms. Williams: Stanford Street! Halloween. The feeling of belonging to something really special. Ms. Tuttle: Everything. The students, the staff, the art, the conversations. All of it. The conclusion: Evident from the complementary and praising reviews of the Class of 2021 by our teachers, it is clear that the senior class is a well-loved portion of our institution. Our teachers mourn the loss of their favorite students when we advance grades and they leave HSPVA. Thus, the only reasonable conclusion is that it is not us who drives away the teachers. So who is the real culprit? The juniors (for the data may have been swayed by politeness)? The stairs? The world may never know. *These interviews have been edited for length and clarity. paperviews* Ratings End of the School Year Edition

*in case you care what we think paperviews* Buying your yearbook

Movies & TV #Vaccinated Girl Summer

The Falcon and the Reading the last Weekly Wrap email Winter Soldier from Dr. Allen By Irene Roddy The Falcon and Winter Soldier had a lot riding on it when it Finishing up AP test premiered back in March. It was following the absolute smash hit that just in time for finals was WandaVision, and people were excited, myself included. Going into it, I was expecting something that made me think, something I wanted to uncover; a mystery, and to be honest, I feel as if I was let down. However, Not graduating until I did like the show. I thought the developing dynamic between Sam and mid-June Bucky was fun and made me realize they had more in common than I previously thought. The main plotline with Karli and the Flagsmashers reminded me of a “traditional” Marvel project, as opposed to the unnatural plotline WandaVision had, which I liked because I missed the classic Marvel experience. There was a lot going on in The Falcon and Winter Soldier, one of my personal favorites was the new Captain America, John Walker. John Walker is such a complex character. He was able to go essentially full circle in 6 episodes, so you have to give credit to Wyatt Russell, who made him so unlikeable it was charming in a twisted way. There was also the return of Zemo, and with the introduction of more Super Soldier Serum, turned anti-villian. Zemo introduced us to Madripoor, which brought back Sharon Carter, AKA The Power Broker. The introduction to Madripoor is hopefully a more definite sign that Marvel is thinking about the X-Men, but there really isn’t any way to know. Zemo was inevitably sent back to jail, this time to The Raft in episode 4 by the Wakandans, which raised a question for me. I don’t think Marvel can introduce or bring back such complex characters like John Walker, Zemo, and even Val Fontaine without expanding that further, so I think Thunderbolt Ross will make a reappearance, and maybe the forming of The Thunderbolts down the line. All in all, going into the show, I was expecting Sam to be named Captain America, Bucky to be officially tied to the Avengers now that Steve is gone, some kind of clarity as to whether or not Steve Rogers is really dead, and a little nod towards a future project, like how WandaVision “set up” the new Dr. Strange film. Only one of these was really followed through, but it was a big one, and frankly the show itself was entertaining enough for me to give it 4 stars. The Devil Wears Prada by Will Newman

I will admit that while rewatching scenes from busy film. Andy is nervous about work; Emily Blunt’s The Devil Wears Prada before beginning to write this character is constantly angry about work; Meryl Streep’s review, I enjoyed some of the clips. They were certainly character is upset at Emily Blunt and Anne Hathaway entertaining and had high energy. In fact, The Devil for being nervous and angry about their work; Nate Wears Prada is by no means an awful movie. However, I is angry that Andy is nervous about work (and angry feel like I am taking crazy pills when people tell me it’s a about her working in general); Stanley Tucci’s character spectacular one. desperately wants to do the type of work that Meryl The Devil Wears Prada, as many movie-goers Streep is doing. Even though all of this is going on, I likely know, follows Andy (Anne Hathaway) as she struggle to fully relate, sympathize, or invest myself in finds herself landing an assistant job to Miranda the characters and the plotlines surrounding them. The Priestly (Meryl Streep), the editor of a prestigious Devil Wears Prada feels like a movie made by and for fashion magazine. The movie also features a side plot people that have the flu. It’s the perfect sick day cable surrounding Andy and her boyfriend, Nate, who have movie...I’m not sure if that’s a compliment, but I would the most forced romance ever put to screen. I’m sorry, take it (it’s the best remark you’ll get from me). I could but I don’t buy for a second that Andy would have ever totally see The Devil Wears dated Nate. Nate is passive aggressive and never Prada playing at 1:30 AM in supportive or understanding of Andy’s hard work unless between episodes of The it benefits himself. Nate is that guy who makes you hate Big Bang Theory on TBS. group projects. Nate is the person who complains to the I have more thoughts manager at a restaurant just so he may feel important. about The Devil Wears Nate probably idolized the rapper Vanilla Ice as a kid Prada that I won’t get into and listened to Ice Ice Baby unironically. Nate’s the type right now, and I will reaffirm of guy to watch The Lorax and root for the guys cutting that I don’t think it’s an down trees. Nate probably has a Shia LaBeouf tattoo. awful film by any means. Nate as a kid probably bullied other kids that watched It’s just an interesting one. the channel Boomerang on TV. Nate says his favorite It’s fine and I look forward movie is Citizen Kane, but we all know it’s Wedding to watching it on TBS in Crashers. You get the picture. the middle of the night An anomaly found in The Devil Wears Prada is sometime in the future. how mundane it is while at the same time being a super Music The New Wolf Alice Singles By Vera Caldwell Today’s music is adjusted to the format of the social media post—it has to be snappy enough for the minute- long TikTok or the thirty-second-long Reels, with intros catchy enough that they stand out in the sea of Spotify playlists and recommendations. Our attention spans are shortening. However, the British rock band Wolf Alice has conspicuously resisted this turn towards short and snappy form, continuing to write songs that require a significant investment of thought and time. “The Last Man On Earth,” the first single promoting their upcoming album Blue Weekend, is four minutes long at a time when the average pop song is closer to two minutes. Its simple piano intro builds to an epic climax, but you have to wait awhile for it. Their second single, “Smile,” is shorter and heavier, but, as with many Wolf Alice songs, it takes a few listens to dissect its wall of sound into the component melodies. This investment is worth it for both songs, though. Details such as the vocal harmonies in “The Last Man On Earth” and the experimentation with different guitar melodies in the second verse of “Smile” stand out when you get to know the songs well. Googling the lyrics is also worthwhile. “The Last Man On Earth” discusses blind faith and egotism, describing a character who considers themselves exceptional and is waiting for divine recognition. To this person, every book has “lines between lines between lines/that you read about yourself.” The piano intro and vocal melody are very simple (perhaps too simple—this is my one gripe), so these lyrics stand out if you’re willing to sit and listen to them. “Smile” is singer Ellie Rowsell’s statement against those who see her as someone who can be pushed around or derided. Lyrics such as “your choice to call me cute has offended me” and “did you think I was a puppet on strings/wind her up and this honeybee stings” speak to the experience of anyone—well, especially any woman- -who isn’t content with others’ condescending perceptions of them. Wolf Alice’s songwriting about gender has always acknowledged the pain, anger, and longer-term psychological dynamics caused by sexism. The value of this honesty cannot be overstated. Wolf Alice have been artistically uncompromising without sacrificing their popularity, writing songs much the same as they always have. This may be a sign that they’ll have lasting influence over the years to come, regardless of what new trends the tide brings in. Fearless (Taylor’s Version) By Irene Roddy On April 9, Taylor Swift re-released Fearless (Taylor’s Version). I was over the moon when she released the album for multiple reasons. Not only does Taylor now own her own music, but she included six new songs. SIX! I’m not going to run down the original tracks; we all know and love them (my personal favorite? “White Horse”), but I am going to talk about the vault tracks. The first one released was “You All Over Me” ft. Maren Morris. It’s angry and sad and completely directed at Joe Jonas, who broke up with Taylor in a 27 second voicemail back in 2008. To me, “You All Over Me” felt a lot like the opposite of 1989’s, “Clean.” The song does feel repetitive at times, so it’s not my favorite, but it is a solid 3.75 out of 5 stars. Upon release, the second vault song instantly became a fan favorite: “Mr. Perfectly Fine.” “Mr. Perfectly Fine” was also angry, but it was less melancholy and more loud and upbeat. Fun fact: this song was ALSO directed at Joe Jonas, and Taylor sings the word “Mr.” 27 times, standing for the 27 seconds it took Joe to break up with her. “Mr. Perfectly Fine” tells a story; it shows Taylor being really sad and angry yet ready to move on at the beginning, and at the end she’s saying goodbye and finally moving on. But let’s be real, she wrote basically an entire album about him, so did she REALLY move on?Although this one isn’t the most poetic of Taylor’s songs, I still really like it and have to give it a 4 out of 5 stars. “We Were Happy” is the third of Taylor’s vault songs, and this one reminds me so vividly of Folklore. This song also tells the story of Taylor getting over Joe Jonas, how they were happy (duh lol), and the future they talked about having. This song is so relatable because whether you had a conversation with an ex-partner or yourself, the future almost never works out the way you want it to and this song attests to that. 4.5 out of 5 stars. “That’s When” gives off major Speak Now energy. This song, if more country pop, could fit into Speak Now, and it would make perfect sense to me. Frankly, I think that’s why I like this song so much. It is super repetitive which got annoying, especially since it was back to the original country style, but I still enjoyed it. 3 out of 5 stars. “Don’t You.” The best of the vault songs. “Don’t You” reminds me of both Evermore and 1989’s “This Love”. It’s intimate and relatable and poetic. This is simply the best song of the vault releases, and I’m so mad it didn’t make the original cut. I LOVE “Don’t You.” 5 out of 5 stars. And finally, “Bye Bye Baby.” This is still my least favorite of the vault songs; it just feels too elementary for Taylor Swift. The verses are more poetic than the chorus which just messes with the whole flow of the song. It’s also basically the same message as “Mr. Perfectly Fine,” which in my opinion is a better song. 3 out of 5 stars. The (Somewhat) Unethical PVA Bucket List by Pieper Grantham As a senior nearing graduation, I have a lot of time to reflect on my time at HSPVA during my bouts of senioritis- induced procrastination. Did I live out my high school days to the fullest? Did I do everything there was to be done at PVA? The answer to both of those questions is no. Luckily for y’all, I’ve worked to compile a list of some of the seemingly must-dos at PVA. Of course, there will always be more to do at this school than can be contained on a list, especially when it comes to specific art-areas (such as in Creative riting:W “leave a fake rat in the living room”), but this list will hopefully get you started...or simultaneously start your list of “Things I will NOT be doing before graduation.” Here it is, The (Mostly) Unethical PVA Bucket list. ❏ Go to a performance from every department ❏ Hallwalk during class (don’t forget to stay for attendance — wouldn’t want to be counted absent!) ❏ Show up to a test, discussion, or project presentation completely unprepared ❏ Show up to a test, discussion, or project presentation and realize you worked way harder than literally everyone else in your class ❏ Perform in a Happening, preferably with an act different than your art area ❏ Take a bathroom mirror selfie, preferably during class or right before a performance you’re in ❏ Refer to one of your textbooks exclusively by the name of its author (De Blij, Strayer, etc.) ❏ Use the elevator when you’re not supposed to (and don’t get caught) ❏ Eat a bagel before a performance ❏ Drive the wrong way in the parking garage (no shame, the arrows are confusing) ❏ Stay after school for a rehearsal past 6:00 pm ❏ Take an AP class ❏ Drop out of an AP class ❏ Try to climb fully inside a locker (art area lockers included) ❏ Audition for an All-School Musical (even if you don’t make it in) ❏ Take a nap during both your art area classes and your academic ❏ Walk on the rafters in the Denney ❏ Start a club and don’t follow through with it ❏ Stand in the orchestra pit while it’s being raised or lowered ❏ Say “screw it, I’m dropping out” then continue to work hard on whatever assignment you were just doing ❏ Give unsolicited audition advice to a random middle schooler who mentions they want to go here ❏ [REDACTED] in the Blackbox ❏ [REDACTED] in the Practice Room ❏ Do a group costume on Halloween ❏ Graduate 10 Origami Sculptures You Can Fold Your Diploma Into in a Desperate Attempt to Avoid Confronting the Reality of Graduation by Eli Johns-Krull As graduation looms on the horizon, I (along with, 7. GameStop’s Logo. Commemorate the glory that I’m sure, a number of my fellow seniors) am feeling a was rich people getting screwed over by a collective of growing sense of apprehension about what I’m supposed Reddit-users. to do afterwards. What is left after the central goal I’ve spent the last twelve years working toward is done? Who 8. A Boat. Lodge it somewhere hard to remove and will I be when I am no longer a student at HSPVA? What recreate the absolute chaos that was the breakdown of comes next? international trade. Scary thoughts, right? They certainly freak me out, and when I’m feeling overwhelmed I like to make things 9. The U.S. Capitol. This one’s a little more involved, but to keep myself distracted from…everything, really. If afterwards you can symbolically set it on fire, because you’re anything like me, this list of origami ideas to fold yeah, that also happened this year. your diploma into should help give you something to do to take your mind off the impending existential crisis over 10. A Snowball, to commemorate Ice-pocalyse and what you’re supposed to do after high school: the pandemic’s total decimation of our energy and will- power. 1. A Tiger, though you will never be able to capture the thousand-yard-stare of the one at the Aquarium.

2. A Pair of Lips, for when you find yourself desperately missing seeing the lower half of people’s faces. 3. An Alien, to celebrate the only thing missing from the apocalyptic nightmare of this past year. 4. A Paper Airplane, so you can imagine what it must be like to fly out to visit a college. 5. A Corsage, because if prom is fake this year, why can’t the flowers be too? 6. Sunglasses. Use these to gain a better understanding of Covid deniers by seeing what it’s like to be blind to the world around you. An Open Letter to Whoever is Leaving Origami Cranes Around the School

You won’t get away with this. Every day, I turn a corner only to find a meticulously folded paper crane in some nook or cranny of the school. It is delightful, gosh darn it. It is sweet and gives our school character. How dare you! How am I, an average PVA student, supposed to maintain peace of mind when I don’t know who is planting these nice little birds? It is a simple act of kindness, and it will not go uncredited! Mark my words, I will find you. I am launching a widespread investigation as we speak. I will hunt you down. Leave no rock unturned. I will find you and give you the socially distanced version of a high-five you deserve if it is the last thing I do! Sincerely, Adelaide Fairbanks a.k.a. The Crane Hunter Why HISD Blocking Pinterest is a Travesty by Anna Grace Hethcox Every PVA theatre designer knows where they were when the tragedy struck. No matter how many times one refreshed, only a blank white screen of empty sorrow emerged. Okay, maybe I’m being a bit dramatic, but there was a sense of frustration and confusion when me and my fellow Pinterest fanatics discovered that the district had blocked one of the most harmless social media sites on the internet. Even using the term “social media” feels like too much of a reach. Pinterest, for those who don’t know, is a site that allows you to collect and organize inspiring photos. It makes inspiration boards, references, and nice phone backgrounds easier than ever. I wouldn’t say that there’s a lot of discourse or connection on the app. Pinterest has become an essential tool for all designers, as a way to present and share ideas and gather visuals to form cohesive designs. The main problem with the site being blocked on laptops is mostly regarding ease and comfort. Staring at a tiny phone screen for hours is obviously harmful on the eyes, not to mention, it’s difficult to get the full details of a photo or share said photo with a group of people from a safe distance (which is essential now more than ever). There’s also an irony to the whole situation. Presumably, the district is protecting us from potentially inappropriate imagery on the site, which there very well may be. While this is understandable, something I can’t grasp is why I can access Wattpad, one of the most infamously odd and potentially vile sites around, easily from the comfort of my PowerUp laptop. I suppose that’s my main issue. The audacity. Pintrerest serves such an important role amongst me and my peers. So bring it back HISD, and block Wattpad while you’re at it. Un-Restrict my Senior Show Please by Celeste Schmidt Wednesday morning: I am checking up on the Freedman read a piece for the incoming freshmen and views of my senior show, as one does, only to find that was completely ignored and talked over. Our department my show, and the rest of the Creative Writing senior is relatively small and already much less performance shows, are restricted on school laptops on school wifi. based than the other departments (with the exception The Instrumental, Vocal, and Mariachi recitals were all of Visual); we don’t have many performances to begin available to watch. I’m glad these phenomenal shows with, so what kind of message does that send to us when are available to be enjoyed at the very school that held the few performances we put on are restricted? These their performances, but why wasn’t my senior show shows are extremely important to our department! included in that? Isn’t this the school’s youtube channel? I hope that it’s not anti-Creative Writing sentiment The show contained no inappropriate content or on behalf of the school that has our videos blocked, language. because you love and appreciate us (right?). Maybe it’s Shortly after returning to campus last semester, a preventive measure for any content that is believed to I recall hearing an underclassman saying they didn’t be in our shows, but even that issue could be remedied believe Creative Writing deserved its own department. At by just going and watching our shows. We’d appreciate Artist Academy in 2017, Creative Writing’s own Cathleen the support. Teacher Talk By HSPVA Academic Faculty For this edition of teacher talk, the academic teachers I see your high standards, never settling for anything less wanted to take some time to recognize those students than a 100. I see your emails (maybe a bit too much… who have made it a point to make this year the best it jk!) asking for extra work, and it’s really nice. can be, despite the less than ideal circumstances. We want you to know that we see you, and thank you. I see you, senior, who always has THE BEST background on their Teams profile. Thank you for the I see you, senior, who helps me tend my plants. The smiles. plants and I thank you. I see you, student, who I don’t teach this year but still I see you, freshman, who day after day continued to stops by to say hello from time to time and see how I am work through factoring with a smile on your masked face. doing. Thank you. Thank you. I see you, biting your tongue when you know an answer I see you, senior, who is balancing so much and still but letting someone else take the answer instead. I makes the effort to help their classmate. Thank you. appreciate your thoughtfulness.

I see you, junior, for always saying hello and goodbye to I see your stellar performances in your passions despite your classmates as you enter and leave class each day. all obstacles and it’s awe-inspiring. But um, can you also Thank you. do that in your academics? :P

I see you, senior, for always putting encouraging I see you, senior, who has the weight of the world on messages to your peers in the chats. Thank you. their shoulders and still shows up every day and tries to connect. Thank you. I see you, sophomore, inching closer to the front of the class, raising your hand, and turning over a new leaf. I I see you, senior, who always gives me new artists see it; keep it up! to play during our asynchronous time. Thank you for expanding my musical horizons. I see you, senior, who trusts me enough to share their struggles and asks my advice. Thank you. I see you, Senior Capstone, who are patient through the tangents, technical difficulties, and horrible puns. Thank I see you, student, who asks how I am doing at the start you. of each of our classes. You have no idea how much that thoughtfulness means. Thank you. I see you, student, who has not let the craziness of this whole year keep you down. Your energy and positivity I see you, senior, who has been accepted to the college you bring each day has kept us teachers going and we of your dreams but still connects and helps others learn can not thank you enough. physics. Thank you. I see you, student leaders, who have kept your club and I see you, student, who always turns on your camera organization alive this year so it may come back next without your teacher asking you to. We appreciate it; it’s year. Thank you. hard teaching to a screen with only circles and letters. I see you, staff of paper*, who have worked tirelessly I don’t see you but I see your work, your PearDecks, to bring this unique part of PVA’s culture to print every and your frequently raised hand on Teams. I wish I saw month. It is the one thing that connects us all regardless you—come say hi when there’s a chance! if we are in-person or virtual. Thank you.

A Tribute to KM Another iconic PVA teacher is leaving this year. While Mr. KM, our amazing government and macroeconomics teacher and hallmark of paper* overheards, will not be at HSPVA next year, we wanted to cement his paper* legacy by spotlighting some of the best of KM’s quotes. America’s national America won’t let me Do not store your Got some hot memes for you here wealth in big macs. security is threatened today. Hope you enjoy. buy this truck. Why? by Korean washing Chickens. machines. This is you, a clown.

Blockbuster died in If you had a bar of gold, throw it at the last recession. someone’s head and steal their stuff. Good riddance. Natural (KM on how gold would help if the selection. economy collapsed)

Luxembourg is a Which vaccine am I country, allegedly. getting? Sam’s Club It wasn’t a hunting Lego Bat Man. I turned off student accident or Produced by Steve names because I’m anything. He Mnuchin. Former about to roast some of just woke up Secretary of the your answers that are dead. Treasury. wrong. I Can Mass Email You Whenever I Want:

ByThe Luca Jarosz True Weapon that is Microsoft Outlook To put it simply, Microsoft Outlook is a weapon of mass destruction. I’m just going to call it what it is: out of pocket. The amount of carnage, massacres, and acts of war that have been dispatched over Outlook servers is in the hundreds. We can’t carry on like this. How many times have we been blindsided as our parents have been informed of failing grades? Look, we all know a teacher whose weapon of choice is Microsoft Outlook. I can see how it could be somewhat concerning if I were to potentially have a “0” as my six weeks average 2 days before the grade cycle closes… in multiple classes, but an email to my parents is an act of aggression. Sometimes I find myself lying awake at night, spending more time worrying about an email home regarding missing grades than the missing grades themselves. Besides the standoff between me and my assignments, I need to address the elephant in the room and the titular argument of this article: I can mass email anyone whenever I want. Whenever I get included in a mass email to the student body or senior class, I find my finger hovering over the “Reply All” button. There’s absolutely nothing stopping me from sending out my thoughts on the week to the entire student body. Not to mention, even if I didn’t have an email to reply to, all I have to do is search for a name within HISD, and their email is mine. I’m not gonna lie: when I’m bored I often find myself searching for people from my past, just to check in on them and see if they’re still in the system. Maybe an old friend, a teacher who had an impact on me, or even a middle school crush. (Trust me, I have this email drafted, so do me a favor and never let me send it.) It also doesn’t help that the security within HISD’s digital sector isn’t exactly top-notch. When you find someone’s email, you have their student ID number. So if you know their birthday, it’s all over. You’re just in their school email. You could even get into their Hub if you wanted to. (I’ve seen it happen and it sent chills down my spine.) In conclusion, Ms. Dorothy Patel, please let HISD know they need to step up their cyber security. I mean, I’m not saying I’m going to mass email the school when I next feel like it, but it could very well happen. Actually, you know what? I’m going to. This isn’t a threat, it’s a warning. Watch out, PVA. Refresh your inbox. The Fanciest Water Fountain You’ll byNever Care Paden Need My father works at a law firm whose offices are well, dispense your beverage. The break room drink roughly a fifteen minute walk from PVA, so, on days fountains that Bevi replaced, with their low-calorie sodas when I need to work in an environment so mundane as (chosen, my dad tells me, because his is a floor full of to be totally undistracting, I’ll find myself there, tucked dieters) and their crushed ice dispensers, were actually away in a spare office or empty conference room. far more touchless than Bevi herself. All you had to This practice was put on hold for a while thanks to the do for the Good Old System was press your beverage pandemic, but now that I’m attending school in person, container against the machine’s lever to dispense—your I’ve begun winding up in my dad’s office building once hand never actually touched the machine, just your again—albeit with a few changes. For one, my dad favored liquid receptacle. and I are frequently the only people on his floor aside And to the other main selling point for the Bevi from the custodial staff; everyone else, for various system—its eco-friendliness—those drink fountains also reasons, is still working from home. There are lots of discouraged the use of single-use plastic bottles! Sure, signs posted everywhere encouraging social distancing their dispenser trays didn’t ambiently cycle through a (between whom? I wonder); hand sanitizing stations rainbow of colored lights when not in use, but I also whose nozzles are misadjusted, so they spray the hand didn’t have to fumble with my phone for thirty seconds sanitizer on the wall behind you instead of, you know, if I wanted a drink of water without using a public your hand; and last but certainly not least: Bevi, the touchscreen. I don’t know if it’s COVID theatre, some touchless beverage station. misguided attempt at cutting down on single-use plastic At least, the big selling point is that Bevi can water bottles that didn’t seem that prevalent to begin theoretically be touchless. You have to, I kid you not, with, or just the need to flex on visitors to the office with a scan a QR code with your phone in order to dispense bougie water fountain, but my dad’s law firm has decided water into your water bottle for the Touchless Bevi that they want to go down in history as enthusiastically Experience™. Otherwise, you pick one of five flavors endorsing what amounts to a thoroughly gentrified including plain water (and flavor strength! And toggle water bottle filler. It looks like she and I will have to deal between still and sparkling water!) on the built-in with each other for the foreseeable future—though, if I touchscreen, much like you would for those fancy ever turn into the kind of person who scans a QR code fifty-soda Coca-Cola soda fountains you see in some to get a drink of water, I’d like to ask that my friends restaurants. You have to hold down your chosen flavor’s immediately take me to a psychiatrist. Or a place with a icon for as long as you want the beverage dispenser to, normal water fountain, whichever comes first. Zan’s Mixtapes: What Would’ve Played at Prom by Zander Tate

In order to commemorate a horrendous senior year, of TikTok, it seems like the new line dance is a TikTok here’s all the songs they would’ve played at prom. dance? It may be weird to have people sit around until the 15 second clip that has a dance comes on, but this is “Levitating” by Dua Lipa Ft. DaBaby — This one still a fun song to get the people moving. needs no explanation. “Levitating” is the fun dance song that we have all needed after seemingly endless “Ghost Town” by Kanye West — Okay okay... I tragedies this year. know this isn’t exactly a party song, but with its recent popularization on TikTok, I think it would be beautiful to “Leave the Door Open” by Silk Sonic — Bruno Mars scream “and nothing hurts anymore I feel kind of free” has been making party anthems for nearly a decade, but alongside a class of seniors that has endured the most. with the help of Anderson .Paak, he’s created a smooth and soulful song perfect for a slow dance. “No Hands” by Waka Flocka Flame Ft. Wale & Roscoe Dash — If I had to pick a favorite party anthem, this would definitely be it. Though it’s a bit dated, this absolute banger will always get everyone out on the (virtual) dance floor. “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom” by Selena — I really hope y’all know this one. A prom in Houston isn’t complete without some cumbia and the queen herself, Selena Quintanilla. Doesn’t this one just make ya wanna dance! “Come Get Her” by Rae Sremmurd — Another song that’s guaranteed to get our Teams logos bouncing. Maybe this year we really can dance like a [REDACTED] since no one turns on their cameras. “Love Story” by Taylor Swift — I know I always put Taylor on these, but with her recent release of Fearless (Taylor’s Version) and the resurgence in popularity of her older songs, I feel like this classic throwback is an essential sing along. “Kiss me More” by Doja Cat Ft. SZA —With the rise Why Booksmart Should be Required Watching for All High Schoolers by Shelby Edison If you’ve had a conversation with me that’s lasted more than a few minutes, then there’s a good chance you’ve heard me talk about the best high-school movie of all time, Booksmart. Booksmart is, without exaggeration, a masterpiece. It also feels like a call-out post of my high school career. The movie features two best friends, Molly and Amy, who spent all of high school studying in order to get into prestigious colleges. But on the eve of their high school graduation, they realize that they missed out on the stereotypical high school social life and try to fit four years of parties into one night. So, why should this film be required watching? First, this movie features one of my favorite lines ever said in a high school movie because, no joke, it changed my life. Our protagonist Molly, incredulous that a popular classmate got into Yale, says, “You don’t even care about school.” To which that Yale-bound popular girl responds, “No, I just don’t only care about school.” Then Molly proceeds to have a complete breakdown when she realizes all the people who had fun in high school are also going to Top 20 colleges.* Watching this scene, my head exploded, and I think I’m still picking up the pieces of grey matter off the floor. As a graduating senior, I can testify that the people who had a social life in high school are going to universities just as renowned as the people who, like me, spent all of high school studying. Besides being hilarious, Booksmart spits straight facts at a very niche audience. This leads me to the fact that I’ve never felt more represented in a movie than in Booksmart. The character of Amy is who I aspire to be. Last weekend, I bought a sequin dress at a thrift store just because it looked like an outfit that Amy wears. Once a day, I say to myself,I’m such an Amy. Booksmart perfectly captures what it’s like to be a high school nerd in 2021. Yes, Molly and Amy are bookish. But they’re also loyal, hilarious, witty, and spiteful. I’m tired of seeing smart girls portrayed in movies as naive and innocent. Give me more of Molly who, despite being downright mean to a bunch of her classmates, is surprisingly popular and welcomed into a red solo cup party with applause. Give me more of Amy, pining after the cute skater girl but too nervous to make it through a conversation. (If you want to watch a movie featuring a young lesbian character whose character arc doesn’t revolve around homophobia, then Booksmart is for you.) Finally, Booksmart is just a fun movie. I’m not saying it’s perfect, but it has a great cast of characters, a bomb soundtrack, relatable plot, and made me realize that high school is about more than just my GPA. So, freshmen, before you get thrown head first into the world of AP classes and building up that resume, do yourself a favor and ask your parental units for permission to watch Booksmart (it’s R-rated). And for those of you who have watched this masterpiece of a movie: if you want to recreate the Molly and Nick interpretative dance scene, please hit me up.

*I watch this scene about once a week. It’s just that good. Why SNL is Good, Actually by Tobi Carr

“SNL hasn’t been funny since Seth Meyers left.” “SNL finally been retired. hasn’t been funny since the 90s.” “SNL hasn’t been 3. The amount of sheer talent on this show, both among funny since the first few seasons.” the writing staff and the performers, is something that hasn’t been seen since the 2000s. Even if you’re of the mind that the first or second one is true, you have to agree that the third one is just There’s Bowen Yang, who not only has written pretentious. And yet I’ve seen all of these opinions absolutely amazing sketches—including “The Actress” expressed, either in Twitter replies or Youtube comments starring Emma Stone and “Sara Lee” starring Harry or Reddit threads. But here’s the truth. While SNL has Styles—but also has made his mark as a performer with been suffering these past few years, this season— his impressions of Chen Biao and Fran Lebowitz. Ego Season 46—is shaping up to be one of its best, right up Nwodim, who’s one of the most talented people SNL has there alongside seasons 32 and 25. to offer and has proved that with both her impressions of While I’m not a believer that ratings are the be-all Dionne Warwick and Edith Puthie, her original character. and end-all, SNL’s current ratings are only helping my Melissa Villasenor might be one of the most talented point. For the first time in its 46 year history, it’s been impressionists in SNL history. Cecily Strong and Kenan ranked as the number 1 comedy series in total viewers. Thompson can always carry a sketch. Hell, the cast & That’s number 1 among all comedies, by the way, both writers are so talented I can’t fit them all here. broadcast and cable. I attribute many things to SNL Look. I’ll agree that these past few years have hitting this major milestone. been hard on SNL. That Colin Jost and Michael Che are no Amy Poehler and Tina Fey. But Season 46, with every 1. After the pandemic that shall not be named cut short episode so far being an 8/10 or higher, has just proved its previous season, I’m betting that many viewers tune that SNL has the capability to be good again. And not in to see if SNL’s return to Studio 8H* will live up to the only is it good again—it’s in a golden age. pre-pandemic episodes. 2. Alec Baldwin’s horrendous Trump impression has Why SNL Sucks by Vera Caldwell Look, it doesn’t have to be this way. The SNL of the 2000s and the 1970s proved that. But honestly, most of recent SNL’s jokes don’t land. The “Hip-Hop Roundtable” sketch is a complaint about Gen Z but undercuts itself because the hip-hop traditionalists, who are supposed to be the straight men in the comedy dynamic, seem preten- tious and clueless. They say “TikTok rappers” when they mean “Soundcloud rappers,” which wasn’t lost on any of Gen Z—the supposed butt of the joke. Alec Baldwin’s cartoonish portrayal of Trump fell flat because many people feared what the former president would do while in office too much to see the impression as funny. Many jokes fall back on celebrity (impersonations of them or cameos by them) to try to stay relevant to the zeitgeist. For instance, Anthony Dismukes is funny because…he looks like John Mulaney? The bar shouldn’t be that low. The best comedy doesn’t insert itself into a cultural moment but regards that moment from the outside or de- tects a perennial truth. Roseanne Roseannadanna, Debbie Downer, and Stefon remain iconic because people like them have and will always exist. Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, which is far funnier than anything SNL has recently released, provides an outside look at America through the eyes of its Kazakhstani main characters. A typical Ameri- can viewer would consider Borat’s bigotry foreign but then see it reflected, to darkly comedic effect, in their own country. Comedy about America, which has always been SNL’s mission, is impossible if you are too embedded in America to look at it objectively or see beyond the current trends. Instead of stepping back, SNL buries itself deeper in American culture and self-referential kitsch, thus failing to produce challenging work. This isn’t even to mention that SNL produces both reactionary (“Don Pauly,” the “High School Theatre Show” series, “Woke Jeans”) and left-leaning (all of the presidential debates, “Welcome To Hell,” “5 Hour Empathy”) sketches. SNL may be willing to shift its core values so often because of writers who have vastly differing outlooks or because different political blocs and demographics are deemed lucrative for advertising depending on the week. We don’t know what goes on in the writing room, but this incon- sistency feels very dissonant. The laughter from the audience no matter the joke indicates that you, the viewer, should placidly fall into your place and enjoy the strange ideological hodgepodge that has been selected for you. This show aired both “Totinos” and “Don Pauly;” the former celebrates lesbianism while the latter’s straight man uses “queer” as a slur. Think about that. What are the show’s true ideals? All of this, combined with the constant expansion of the cast and the laughter (THE LAUGHTER) whenever any ac- tor so much as breathes, makes for a lackluster experience. The suckiest thing about SNL is that we know it can be better, but it stumbles along in mediocrity any- way.

*The studio SNL has been filmed in since its first ever episode Ruth + Denney: PVA’s Worst, Best, and Only Advice Column* Dear R+D, of how laidback your year has been! I know it’s hard I am moving out of state for college, and I’m so worried not to compare yourselves to others, so admire their about losing touch with my friends and feeling all alone achievements, but don’t undermine your own. You both in a far away city. Even during my normal summers I are insanely talented artists, and don’t need your names often struggled with reaching out and making plans with written on a playbill to prove it. friends, and I ended up feeling like my summers were Yours, one long stretch of blah. How do I stay connected with Ruth wonderful people I’ve met these past four years? How do I make the most out of my last summer at home? Care and Valentina, —Pieper Grantham I sympathize with you ladies for sure. What I think we all need is a redo on this year — a chance to Dear Pieper, relive these glory days and do right by them. If First, I want to reassure you that you’re not alone in only there was some way to enjoy all the joy of feeling concerned about what life will look like once being in a school performance without having to deal you’re on your own for the first time. Thankfully, as we’ve with… school. So, are y’all ready to vicariously live learned during this difficult year, many of our loved ones through your children that you force to be in all the are only the push of a button away, and you can visit performances you never auditioned for? Heck yeah! with each other when you’re all home for various breaks. It’s time to bust out the baby ballet slippers and Who knows? It’s more than likely you’ll make new, even miniature violins and hit the stage… or at the bare closer friends while you’re away. If your friendship is minimum stand in the aisle and take like ten million worth the effort, you’ll put in the effort. If you grow apart, photos. Procrastinate that PVA glory just like you feel grateful for the time you had together and move procrastinate that English homework. forward the better for it. I wish you luck and many inside See y’all at the PTO meeting in 25 years, jokes to come. Denney Yours, Ruth Pieper, It’s so important to remember that humans will DENNEY: Hey Ruthie… Do these letter writers seem always disappoint you in the end. Your grandma will oddly familiar to you? forget to send money in your birthday card; your RUTH: The names attached don’t ring any bells, but friends won’t comment three fire emojis under your you’re right: I feel like I’ve seen this kind of writing latest Instagram post. You’ve spent upwards of 12 before... years around some of these people, so why on Earth D: I’ve got it! These are the fools on the editing team would you want to spend any more time with them?! that cut all my best advice! Don’t worry, I’ve already set up an itinerary for your R: Hmm, “best” is perhaps a bit generous. Wait, these totally not-bummer-summer, and spoiler alert, your people don’t work on the editorial staff — they work on silly out of state college is about to look a whole this column! lot closer. 1) Procure a plane ticket to Iceland. 2) D: So, you’re saying…they’re us? But we’re us. Once in Iceland, purchase a herd of sheep (the R: Of course, we’re still us. These are just the students details of that step will be up to ewe). 3) Spend the who have embodied us for the past two years! rest of your natural life as a nomadic sheep herder D: And here I thought I was coming up with all those whose only human contact is with the stray National great puns on my own. Geographic team that thinks you’re just the coolest. R: Anyways, it seems they’re letting us go. They’re going This will be great for you, I already know you don’t off to college in a few months, and we can’t go with get outside enough. them. We’re staying behind. njóttu Íslands, D: Oh, God, do we have to find new bozos to puppet? Denney I don’t think I can handle that. I have places to be! Cars to vandalize! R: It looks that way. I’m sure whoever comes next will be just as wonderful as these three. Dear Ruth + Denney, D: You’re the etiquette expert Ruthie, how should we This year was going to be our “screw it” year! We were say goodbye? going to audition for everything we could, carpe every R: I think, in this instance, “good luck” will be a sufficient diem, and instead… Well, senior year has still been our send-off. Not that they need it. “screw it” year, but in a very different sense. More of a “screw it, why try?” than “screw it, let’s try anyway!” How D: Yeah, my girl is definitely going places… probably do we get over our disappointment… and jealousy of the various jails, but definitely places! Well Pieper, I people who did manage to take senior year by storm? think I’ve given you all the advice I can give. See you —Care Paden + Valentina Avellaneda on the flip side. Or Hell, whichever comes first for us. Con-graduations, you’re finally out of this joint, Oh Care + Valentina, Denney If this isn’t the most felt yet least talked about feeling at a performing and visual arts high school. This year R: Farewell, Care and Valentina! These past two was filled with chaos, zoom-fatigue, and re-kindling a years, I’ve seen firsthand your tremendous abilities to social life. If what you had to do to make it to graduation help others—remember to devote some of that same was say “screw everything i have no motivation” so be attention to yourselves. Even advice columnists need it. There’s nothing wrong with binge watching Schitt’s to ask for help sometimes. I wish you all the luck in the Creek or getting a sweet: incorporating self-care and world & your next adventures. prioritizing your needs over desires are skills you’ll fully Yours, get the hang on later in life, but it’s worth starting now. Ruth Everyone’s life journey is different from your own. Rest assured that those people you’re jealous of are also humans with insecurities and may even be jealous

*like usual, paper* does not endorse any of Denney’s advice And They’re Off: The HSPVA Class of 2021 Shelby Edison Washington University in St. Louis English with a concentration in Creative Writing Christine Rong American University Interdisciplinary Studies: CLEG Maddie Strug Kent State Fashion Merchandising Caroline Clark Peabody Institute at Johns Hopkins Music Composition Alexa Halim Wellesley College Data Science and Sociology Maya Hansen Santa Fe College Psychology Isabel Heinkenschloss UCSD Structural Engineering Dionne Bracey University of Oklahoma/UT Modern Dance Luca Jarosz California Institute of the Arts Acting Abigail Baden Southern Methodist University BFA Dance Performance Chloe Klitus Louisiana State University Psychology Matthew Kalmans Washington University in St. Louis Mathematics Alexandra Champion Ithaca College Acting Tobias Rytting Syracuse University Musical Theater Maya Hansen Santa Fe College Psychology Ezri Greenberg University of North Texas Material Engineering Pieper Grantham New York University Natural Science and Documentary Filmmaking Alice Tian Rice University Bioengineering on a Pre-Med track Levana Hoang University of Southern California Political Science (Pre-Law) and Dance Trinity Mosier Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Music Education Zander Tate University of Southern California Art, Technology, and the Business of Innovation Sydney Ligon The Ohio State University Major in Dance, Minor in Business Management Landy Chen Cornell University Hotel Administration Jordan Ray Texas A&M Sociology Abrielle Rangel Indiana University Vocal Performance and Political Science Selena Ramos Boston University Computer Engineering Jenna Kidd SAIC Fine/Studio Arts Maggie Lytle University of Houston Music Education Max Whittaker Southern Methodist University Music Composition Valentina Avellaneda UT Austin Social Work Celeste Schmidt UTSA/UT Austin Biology Amanda Bloome Emerson College Media Arts Production Nina Davalos Wellesley College Cinema and Media Studies Anna Marie Tobin Pace University Directing Noah Friedman The Ohio State University Operations Management Asha Thekdi University of Texas at Austin Biology and Pre-Med Dawsyn Williams Sam Houston State University Nursing Eva Trakhtman College of William and Mary Biology on the Pre-Med Track Olivia Syler University of Houston Journalism/Media Production Micaylyn De La Fuente Our Lady of the Lake University Communication Sciences and Disorders Ariel Workeneh Rice University Piano Performance April Garza Texas A&M University in Galveston Marine Biology Katherine Butler Rice University Violin Performance Katherine Stewart University of Houston Chemistry Maryfer Rodriguez Northwestern University Chemistry and Music Sarah Grace Kimberly University of Houston BA in Trumpet Performance and Phronesis Lily Tindel UTSA to UT Austin (CAP program) Psychology Tatiana Jacksis Fordham University Biological Sciences Lauren Patton Peabody Institute at Johns Hopkins Oboe Performance and Forensic Science Dawsyn Williams UTSA Nursing Nathan Reedstrom Stephen F Austin State University Music - Sound Recording Technology Joelle Rosales University of Southern California Information Technology and Dance Alexa Williams Southern Methodist University Dance Performance and Political Science Kael Juan University Of Houston Architecture Industrial Design Ricky Kirk Stevens Institute of Technology Mechanical Engineering Mason Brown School of the Art Institute of Chicago Bachelor in Fine Arts Jordan Bush Loyola University New Orleans Jazz Music Performance Garner Lazar-Pope University of Michigan (STAMPS) BFA/Library Sciences Alissar Youssef Syracuse University BFA in Illustration Micaylyn De La Fuente Our Lady of the Lake University Communication Sciences and Disorders Raymah Shaikh Parsons School of Design Fine Arts Eli Johns-Krull Rice University B.S. in Physics Isaac Bremauntz Northwestern University History and Theatre Gabriel Werline Gap year Noah Friedman The Ohio State University Operations Management Iggy Lines Loyola New Orleans Game Programming Ivan Josic UT Austin Sarah Klein The New School Lang Culture and Media Anshita Lal Penn State - University Park Computer Science Kenidee Wedlaw George Mason University Dance and Kinesiology Elise Gentry Howard University Marketing and Communication And They’re Off: The HSPVA Class of 2021* Grace Quarterman Spelman College Biology and Dance Liberty Dante Undecided Visual Art Ire Asojo Brown and RISD Dual Degree Painting and Africana studies Sam Dill Lawrence University Vocal Performance Ian Knight Tufts University Engineering Undecided Alina Coulter University of Dresden in Germany Art Education Melanie Regis New England Conservatory Voice Performance Mary Balthazar Undecided Psychiatry/Psychology and Music Production Charles Ables Colorado State University Enviornmental Economics Morgan Manning Point Park University BFA in Modern Dance Maribella Falconer Texas Woman’s University Physical Therapy Owen Talley University of Louisville Cello Performance Jackson Guite Tulane University Chemistry Alissar Youssef Syracuse University BFA in Illustration Isaiah Davis University of Houston Education Maja Neal UTSA Computer Science Aanisah Johnson LSU Screen Arts Jackson Guite Tulane University Chemistry Jaylenn Holmes Texas A&M University Business Maddy Vanlandingham Rice University Chemical Engineerng Camara White Lawrence University Music Education Melanie Hernandez Texas A&M Biology Anna Pearce Colorado School of Mines Environmental Engineering Dawsyn Williams UTSA Nursing Emily Chapin Loyola University New Orleans Mathematics with a Pre-Med track Levy Cao University of Texas at Austin Studio Art Caroline Paden Reed College English with an emphasis in Creative Writing McKenna Leach UNCSA Scene Design/Themed Entertainment Henry Johnston Belmont University Commercial Music and Music Technology Blair Reeves School of the Art Institute of Chicago Studio Art Rebecca Rock Amherst College Law, Jurisprudence, and Social Thought Isias Workeneh Massachusetts Institute of Technology Chemical Engineering Max Whittaker Southern Methodist University Music Composition Prince Frazier UMass Lowell Composition for New Media Iggy Lines Loyola University New Orleans Game Programming Charlotte Stallings University of Michigan Theatre Design and Production Amanda Quinonez UT Austin International Relations and Global Affairs Joshua Garvin Syracuse University BA Jazz & Contemporary Music and Marketing Jaylenn Holmes Texas A&M University Business Bela Ramirez Fordham University at Lincoln Center International Studies and Economics Everett Adkins Rice University Statistics Gabe Barron London College of Fashion Fashion Design Seth McCabe DePaul University Cyber-Physical Systems Engineering and Film Savannah Heximer Eastman School of Music Vocal Performance Christina Jones Southern Methodist University Dance and Health & Society Ámbar Caldwell Sarah Lawrence College Politial Science and Theatre Arts Jordan Sheldon University of Southern California Communications Emma Arriaga University of Houston Downtown Criminal Justice (Pre-Law) Marwan Ghonima University of the Pacific Jazz Studies Ellie Drotts Point Park University Jazz Dance and Special Education Connor Loftin University of Colorado Boulder Economics Lawrence Turner Florida State University Music Education and Sports Journalism Philip Hulten Texas State University Education Amira Diaw School of the Art Institute of Chicago Fine Arts Studio Estuardo Gonzales Peabody Institute at Johns Hopkins Cello Performance Maya Chorn Parsons School of Design Fine Arts Lily Peters University of Houston Hotel and Restaurant Management Deja Bracey University of Oklahoma/Texas State BFA in Acting Congrats Class of 2021!

In high school, you survived a hurricane, moving buildings, five flights of stairs every morning, a global pandemic, virtual learning, muted Teams calls and poor connection, and an ice apocalypse. If you could take on this ~interesting~ high school experience, you can take on anything!

*Some members of the class of 2021 didn’t respond to our survey, so unfortunately, we couldn’t brag about them :( Senior Superlatives: paper* Edition Shelby Edison— Most Likely to be Type A++ Rebecca Rock— Most Likely to Write A Memoir Made of paper* Overheards Luca Jarosz— Mr. paper* Ylliana Larsen— Most Likely to Start a Bird Sanctuary Matthew Kalmans— Most Likely to Join the Jellicle Cats Zander Tate— Most Likely to be a Property Brother Maja Neal— Most Likely to Write Fortunes for a Fortune Cookie Company Julian Cotom— Most Likely to Play the Bass at his Own Funeral Care Paden— Most Likely to Give Advice to D&D Characters Valentina Avellaneda — Most Likely to Own a Starbucks Franchise Pieper Grantham — Most Likely to Accidentally Start a Cult Jordan Sheldon — Most Likely to Put on a One- Man Show of the Torah

Senior Confessions paper* asked the seniors graduating this year to anonymously submit their juiciest confessions about their time at HSPVA. Here are some of the funniest, most shocking, and sweetest confessions (that we could publish).

One time a teacher I haven’t read a I've had a crush I dated a walked in on me..... single book for on at least five of jazz kid. “hanging out” with another English class the other people Worst student. since freshman in my art area. decision of year. my life. The last day of freshman year, the I like to compliment the For one of my paper* doors to the roof freshman and sophomores reviews, I didn’t were unlocked and on their clothes because watch the movie and another classmate they always seem so happy still rated it terribly. and I snuck onto a cool senior likes their fit. Sometimes you just the roof. know that a movie I stole an orange from the PTO. sucks. byHoroscopes Maja Neal

Parting is such sweet sorrow. It has been my pleasure to be Scorpio — How do you react to good, new things coming your astrology girl for the past year, but now we’re almost at into your life? Do you measure them against old grudges or the end. My last pieces of wisdom for you: brush your teeth, tell yourself you don’t deserve them? Letting go of past do your math homework, and eat more cake (it’s good for experiences will help you open up to people again. Advice: you). draw a shrimp. Draw a lot of shrimps. Who’s stopping you. Aries — Good news for your heart! Unconditional love Sagittarius — You might be feeling beat down like tragedy presents itself in all types of ways this month. Whether it’s just keeps coming your way month after month. But, as cliche friends, family, or a partner, accept the love that comes as it is to say, things have to go downhill before they can go to you. You know better than anyone that you deserve it. uphill. Don’t lose your hope for this month. Advice: make your Advice: don’t bet on losing dogs. blankets into a nest and be comfy. Taurus — Happy early or belated birthday, Taureans! For Capricorn — There are a lot of things happening in your life you is a practice that this Taurus has been following lately: at once — it can overwhelm you. So try not to overextend keep an eye on your wallet. It’s exciting to have good things yourself, and let your friends know that you’re recharging, and material possessions come to you, but self-control is not isolating. Advice: cure all of your ailments with some important! Advice: learn kazoo solos for your band. suspicious herbs. Gemini — A rush of luck might convince you for a second Aquarius —Your head might have been a little floaty the past that nothing is wrong, but never neglect your work because few months. But there are places where you can be safe and other aspects of your life might be going well. Remember confide in other people about your troubles, so use them. to work in the long-term. Advice: do something that would Advice: write more things down; I know you forget them. scandalize your grandma. Pisces —You’re good at being there for other people — Cancer — Have you found yourself wishing for a past time? make sure you support your friends and loved ones this That can be dangerous because you can miss things that are month. Don’t burn yourself out, of course, but being a good right in front of you. Eyes up — you’ll thank yourself. Advice: friend in a time of need could be extremely important to look both ways before crossing the street. Genuinely. another person. Advice: support your local record store. Leo — I know you’re dying to see friends like everything is back to normal — but it’s not. Be safe! And, if the safest option is staying home, take that as good alone time to take care of and look within yourself. Advice: make cornstarch blood and stage a murder scene. Virgo — You might start feeling lonely, like you haven’t found your crowd. Remember that there are people who care about you and even more people who think you’re rad. Also, don’t underestimate the Internet for getting into communities. But (Advice:) NOT Omegle. Libra — What are you holding on to — relationships, habits, ideas — that’s not good for you? It can be really difficult to let go of these things if they’ve been with you for a long time. But I have faith you can do it. Advice: find a new appreciation for toadstools.

A Final Letter from the Editor

Dear paper*, Freshman year, walking through the checkered halls back on Stanford Street, I saw a sign advertising paper*. I thought to myself there’s no way I will be valedictorian. Instead, I want to be editor-in-chief of paper*. Flash forward a few years, and here I am editing the final issue of this year’s paper*. That’s pretty surreal. You know what else is surreal? Making a school newspaper during a pandemic. This year, we didn’t pass out physical newspapers at lunch. We didn’t have chaotic meetings in the library. Heck, the first group photo of all the editors was taken in April! This year paper*, like the rest of school, was digital (and a bit disjointed). Nonetheless, we accomplished some pretty amazing things. We released two summer issues, covered events from an election to an attempted- coup to an ice apocalypse, and over-utilized the raise hand feature on Microsoft Teams. That’s how resilient our little newspaper is! We did that! So, thank you a million times to our writers because despite my emails yelling at y’all to turn your articles in, I will be eternally thankful that you logged onto meetings and wrote your heart out when you could’ve just taken a nap. Thank you to our readers, students and staff, for entertaining our wild articles ideas. Thank you to Mr. Turner for supporting this volume of paper* every step of the way. And finally, thank you to Rebecca, Luca, and Ylliana. Words cannot describe how much I loved brainstorming the next David Hulten-esque column with you (to Luca), our frantic FaceTime calls editing articles at the last minute (to Rebecca), and shouting out the zaniest ideas and seeing them come to life in graphics that were out of this world (to Ylliana). To the PVA underclassmen, paper* is now in your hands. Don’t let it die! At the end of the day, paper* is probably the most fun way you can pad your resume. It’s also my favorite PVA tradition, and I will miss it (and reading all the Overheards you submit to [email protected]) so insanely much. Sincerely, Shelby Edison Overheard@PVA Orlando Bloom If Nic Lam was a girl, he’d be a I’m preparing these is part of the same #girlboss. children for real life: Buddhist organization — Matthew Fu nepotism. that I’m a part of. — Shelby Edison — April Garza Just because I drove on the wrong side of the road doesn’t mean I’m a bad driver. — Katie Butler If you want to understand America, read The Scarlet Letter Callum, I think I know what you need to This snake and listen to Britney Spears. needs — Mr. Inocéncio do to fix youremotional constipation. You need to write some poetry. exfoliation. — Pieper Grantham — Charlotte Stallings Freshmen, the juniors are in charge of you; they are benevolent dictators. And Jesus said “Thou computer is thy — Ms. Chase pathway to god.” — Ben Authur I put the Barbie dolls I don’t like in the I eat like an Emphasize da I could never fire you Ms. freezer. actual child. I cannibalism. — Seva Raman eat dirt. — Eva Chase, you ARE the Social — Marla Trakhtman Studies Department. Gallardo — Mr. Tellez I think it’s just exhausting being happy. — Lily Peters Rainforest Cafe angers Let your kids play with me. — Will Newman knives! — Mr. Landry I’m sorry, I thought I was still God. — Elijah Kennedy

Would Mary Shelley Noah Alapat: What gender is your dog? have been an anti- Maika Nebgen: Fat PVA? That vaxxer? — Care Paden sounds like an STD. — Jeremy I don’t know why humans All I'm saying is Seth Meyers Jordan* want to separate themselves could not have eased the tensions from the material world. I love between China and the Soviet Union materials. —Liza Stickney after the Cold War but Richard Do you Nixon could have written the 2019 prefer comedy special Lobby Baby. to do — Nina Fowler Cosine of 0 is 1. Or 0. Or both. anything Or neither. It’s whatever you illegal want it to be. — Ty Deigaard I actually got sleep today, I highly pertaining recommend it. — Dr. Smith to scones. — Bekah I took a 20 minute Ortiz nap earlier today and I don’t know I had a dream I was how much sense at a funeral and did that made, but Please stop mixing your sports metaphors. the stanky leg in it happened. You obviously don’t know what you’re talking front of the memorial. — Lauren about. — Eli Johns-Krull — Sylvia Zhao Sternenberg

Editor-in-Chief: Shelby Edison Mangaging Editors: Luca Jarosz and Rebecca Rock Media Extraordinaire: Ylliana Larsen paper* Contributing Writers: Valentina Avellaneda, Vera Caldwell, Tobi Carr, Addie Fairbanks, Pieper Grantham, Anna Grace Hethcox, Kate-Yeonjae Jeong, Eli Johns-Krull, Staff Matthew Kalmans, Maja Neal, Will Newman, Care Paden, Irene Roddy, Celeste Schmidt, Zander Tate, and the HSPVA Academic Faculty Emotional Support: Matthew Kalmans and Bela Ramirez

*Yes, that Jeremy Jordan